NBC Uni sues over O'Brien's 'Insider' move
O'Brien suit filed
July 14, 2004
A Los Angeles Superior Court judge denied NBC Universal's request Tuesday for a temporary restraining order to prevent former "Access Hollywood" anchor Pat O'Brien from promoting his new Paramount show "The Insider" until his NBC Uni contract expires at the end of August.
"In court papers we filed today, we sought to enforce the terms we had in place with Mr. O'Brien, who still remains under contract with 'Access Hollywood,' " NBC Universal Television Distribution, which distributes "Access," said in a statement.
Judge Andria Richey denied NBC Universal's request at a hearing Tuesday morning but set another hearing for July 23.
"At that time, we hope the court will grant the order we are seeking," the NBC Universal statement said.
O'Brien left the syndicated "Access" last month to become host of "The Insider," a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight" that is distributed by Paramount Domestic Television. "Insider" bows Sept. 13, only a couple of weeks after O'Brien's contract with "Access" expires.
An attorney for Paramount said the studio was satisfied with the judge's decision Tuesday.
"We are pleased with the judge's take and her comments with respect to the agreement," said Patty Glaser, attorney at Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro Llp.
The complaint NBC Uni filed Tuesday accuses O'Brien of breach of contract, among other allegations. According to the complaint, O'Brien is under contract through Aug. 31 and continues to receive his full salary, even though he left "Access" as of June 18. That contract "expressly prohibits him from rendering his services for anyone else and from permitting others to use his name and likeness for promotional purposes" without consent, according to the complaint.
NBC Universal alleges that O'Brien has been "working actively" with Paramount to promote "The Insider," including meeting with the show's producers and talking with reporters.
The complaint, which also names Paramount Pictures Corp. and Standing Pat Inc. as defendants, additionally claims that O'Brien has been "actively soliciting" employees of "Access Hollywood" to leave the show and join him at "The Insider."
News of O'Brien's departure from "Access" was first reported last month when NBC Universal announced that Billy Bush would be joining Nancy O'Dell in the anchor's seat (HR 6/17). Paramount on Monday made the official announcement that O'Brien was joining "The Insider" as host (HR 7/12).
Despite the legal skirmish between the veteran anchor and NBC Uni, O'Brien is still set to be part of the on-air team anchoring NBC Sports' coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens next month.
"In court papers we filed today, we sought to enforce the terms we had in place with Mr. O'Brien, who still remains under contract with 'Access Hollywood,' " NBC Universal Television Distribution, which distributes "Access," said in a statement.
Judge Andria Richey denied NBC Universal's request at a hearing Tuesday morning but set another hearing for July 23.
"At that time, we hope the court will grant the order we are seeking," the NBC Universal statement said.
O'Brien left the syndicated "Access" last month to become host of "The Insider," a spinoff of "Entertainment Tonight" that is distributed by Paramount Domestic Television. "Insider" bows Sept. 13, only a couple of weeks after O'Brien's contract with "Access" expires.
An attorney for Paramount said the studio was satisfied with the judge's decision Tuesday.
"We are pleased with the judge's take and her comments with respect to the agreement," said Patty Glaser, attorney at Christensen, Miller, Fink, Jacobs, Glaser, Weil & Shapiro Llp.
The complaint NBC Uni filed Tuesday accuses O'Brien of breach of contract, among other allegations. According to the complaint, O'Brien is under contract through Aug. 31 and continues to receive his full salary, even though he left "Access" as of June 18. That contract "expressly prohibits him from rendering his services for anyone else and from permitting others to use his name and likeness for promotional purposes" without consent, according to the complaint.
NBC Universal alleges that O'Brien has been "working actively" with Paramount to promote "The Insider," including meeting with the show's producers and talking with reporters.
The complaint, which also names Paramount Pictures Corp. and Standing Pat Inc. as defendants, additionally claims that O'Brien has been "actively soliciting" employees of "Access Hollywood" to leave the show and join him at "The Insider."
News of O'Brien's departure from "Access" was first reported last month when NBC Universal announced that Billy Bush would be joining Nancy O'Dell in the anchor's seat (HR 6/17). Paramount on Monday made the official announcement that O'Brien was joining "The Insider" as host (HR 7/12).
Despite the legal skirmish between the veteran anchor and NBC Uni, O'Brien is still set to be part of the on-air team anchoring NBC Sports' coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens next month.
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